VIPASSANA (INSIGHT MEDITATION)
Vipassana also refers to a distinct movement which was begun in the 20th century by reformers in the Theravada tradition, most notably a Burmese monk, Mahasi Sayadaw .
• Sayadaw was born in 1904 in Burma, became a novice at age twelve, and was ordained at age twenty.
• 1979 - Sayadaw traveled to the West and held retreats in Vipassana meditation at newly founded centers, such as IMS.
• 1982 – Saydaw died of a stroke.
Vipassana Buddhism is rooted in the Theravada tradition, which has focused predominantly on monasticism.
Vipassana Buddhism emphasizes meditation and downplays ceremonial and communal aspects of the Theravada tradition.
Vipassana has as its goal is to simplify ritual and to make meditative practice more effective and available, both to monks and laypersons.
Vipassana Buddhism (Insight Meditation) has increased the popularity of the Theravada tradition.
The majority of American Theravada meditation groups are in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition
INSIGHT MEDITATION SOCIETY (IMS)
1975 – The Insight Meditation Society (originally the Insight Meditation Center) was founded in Barre, MA in a rural area on 75 acres.
IMS was the first Theravada Buddhist organization formed entirely by Westerners.
• Jack Kornfield – born in 1945, graduated from Dartmouth in 1967, joined the Peace Corps and served in Thailand, returned to the U.S. in 1972, cofounded IMS in 1975, earned a Ph.D in clinical psychology. Kornfield is also cofounder of the Spirit Rock Center. He is noted for making Eastern spiritual teachings accessible to Westerners.
• Sharon Salzberg – born in 1952, educated at State University of New York, traveled to India and studied meditation for several years, returned to the U.S. in 1974, cofounded IMS in 1975, co-founded (with Goldstein) the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in 1989, cofounded The Forest Refuge in 1998.
• Joseph Goldstein - born in New York in 1944, graduated from Columbia in philosophy in 1965, joined the Peace Corps in 1965 and served in Thailand, lived in Asia for eight years, led retreats at the Naropa Institute in 1974, cofounded IMS in 1975, helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in 1989, cofounded the IMS Forest Refuge in 1998.
IMS is rooted in the vipissana strand of theTheravada tradition
IMS is linked to the Thai forest tradition and the teachings of Burmese monk, Mahasi Sayadaw .• Sayadaw was born in 1904 in Burma, became a novice at age twelve, and was ordained at age twenty.
• 1979 - Sayadaw traveled to the West and held retreats in Vipassana meditation at newly founded centers, such as IMS.
• 1982 – Saydaw died of a stroke.
ORGANIZATION
IMS offers more than 25 meditation courses, ranging from a weekend to three month retreats, annually.
The three month retreat observes full silence, except for evening lessons and interviews with instructors. No meals are taken after lunch.
IMS administers two retreat centers – the Retreat Center and the Forest Refuge, opened in 2003.
The Forest Refuge offers personal retreats ranging from one week to one year..
• Daily routine begins at 5 AM and ends at 10 PM
• The routine consists of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and work.
• Silence is maintained at most times.
• Diet is vegetarian.
• Teachers are not compensated; students are offered the opportunity to make a donation to the teachers.
The retreat centers feature lovingkindness meditation, meditation that cultivates the natural capacity for an open and loving heart.
The retreat centers serve about 3,000 “yogis” (retreatants) annually.
The Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, a study and research organization, is affiliated with IMS.
The Spirit Rock Me ditation Center, which originated as the Dharma Foundation and then Insight Meditation West blended psychotherapy, meditation, and other spiritual and therapeutic practices.
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